Make a gift

Community physicians, alumni and friends

The Department of Family Medicine is committed to providing our patients with the best possible care, to training the next generation of physicians, and to creating new knowledge that improves our educational, clinical, and research programs.

From medical education and residency programs across the commonwealth of Virginia and throughout the world, to research initiatives that challenge existing practice methods and develop better ways of providing care, the department has a track record of innovation in serving our patients and our students.

However, this creativity wouldn’t have been possible without the support of our alumni and friends. We encourage you to explore the scholarships and giving opportunities in the Department of Family Medicine and learn how you can make a gift to the VCU Department of Family Medicine.

On the form provided at the "make a gift" site, be sure to note in the "Other" box that your gift is for one of the following Family Medicine Funds:

The Harris-Mayo Chair is named in honor of Dr. Epps Harris, founding Director of the VCU Blackstone Family Medicine Program, and Dr. Fitzhugh Mayo, founding Chairman of the VCU Department of Family Medicine. In the late 1960s, they saw a crisis developing in the public's access to primary health care. Together, they worked tirelessly to develop Family Medicine in Virginia, and were instrumental in generating public support for training programs. The endowedment allows the Department Chair to stimulate innovations across the spectrum of our educational and research programs.

Upon reaching the endowment requirement, this Chair will be named for Dr. David W. Marsland, who joined the Department in 1972 and led it for 15 years, until his retirement. He added significantly to the Department's reputation for excellence in education and research and maintained a clear focus on mission success. This endowment will support innovation in research programs that help create healthcare that is more just, safe, equitable, effective, and efficient.

The Departmental Excellence Fund has been established to strengthen the Department's affiliated residency programs and medical student programs. Funds will be used to support faculty development for both community and residency faculty, and activities that promote student interest in Family Medicine careers.

Gifts may be made to the general Departmental Excellence Fund, or may be directed for use by any one of the VCU-affiliated Family Medicine Residency Programs. Individual residency program Excellence Funds that reach a total endowment of $10,000 will become independent and self-sustaining. Use of these individual program funds will be guided by the residency faculty according to local needs and opportunities.

Harris-Mayo Chair

Marsland Chair

Upon reaching the $1 million requirement, this Chair will be named for Dr. David W. Marsland, who joined the Department in 1972 and led it for 15 years, until his retirement. He added significantly to the Department's reputation for excellence in education and research and maintained a clear focus on mission success.

Departmental Excellence Fund

The Departmental Excellence Fund has been established to strengthen the Department's affiliated residency programs and students medical programs. Funds will be used to support faculty development for both community and residency faculty, and activities that promote students interest in Family Medicine careers.

Henry Clay Smith Memorial Award in Family Medicine

The Henry Clay Smith Memorial Award was established in 1976 by the children of Henry Clay Smith, M.D., to honor and remember him.

Dr. Smith was a 1911 graduate of the Medical College of Virginia who practice family medicine in rural Virginia for 61 years. He was loved and respected by his patients, friends and family, and devoted his life to the practice of medicine, until his death in 1974.

The Smith family requested that these funds be given to young physicians who are likely to emulate Dr. Smith and are interested in providing health care to rural Virginians. Recipients are selected by faculty in the Department of Family Medicine.

The Smith family continues to support this fund.

Elbert Patton Whited, M.D., Award

The Elbert Patton Whited, M.D., Award was established by the Whited family some years ago for students in the School of Medicine.

Dr. Whited was born in Russell County on March 3, 1872. In 1953, Dr. Whited received a certificate from the Medical Society of Virginia recognizing 50 years of services to the public in the practice of medicine.

Recipient selection is based on scholastic ability and demonstrated financial need. Students from nine southwestern Virginia counties are given first preference, as are Virginia residents. Special preference is also given to students interested in primary care and family medicine. Recipients of this award are selected by faculty in the Department of Family Medicine.

Eleanor and Paul Kent Fund

The Kent Library, a small reading library housed in the Department of Family Medicine, was established in the early 1990s by Dr. Paul Kent and his wife Eleanor. Each year, funds are made available to provide additional education resource materials for the Department of Family Medicine educational programs.

Dr. Kent, a graduate of MCV, practiced medicine in Altavista, Va., for many years. For a number of years in the mid-1990s, Dr. and Mrs. Kent visited the Department of Family Medicine and had lunch with faculty and staff. Until his death in the late-1990s, Dr. Kent continued to make annual contributions to the library fund.

Paul Munson Fund for Faculty Development

When Dr. Paul Munson retired in 2007, everyone in the department wondered what would best honor his extraordinary contribution to the mission of the Department. It didn’t take long to decide on the Paul Munson Fund for
Faculty Development in Family Medicine. Paul had made it his personal mission to provide the best in educational development for our physician educators. He not only did a superior job, but he made it a joy for all involved. Contributions to this fund not only honor Dr. Munson’s lifelong work in faculty development, but make possible a continued tradition of excellence in our faculty that is not possible without special sources such as the Munson Fund.